Home LivingSmart HomeArlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger review: elite smart securityArlo is the Apple of smart cameras, and its Ultra 2 is impressiveWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use appReasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storageWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Home LivingSmart HomeArlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger review: elite smart securityArlo is the Apple of smart cameras, and its Ultra 2 is impressiveWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use appReasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storageWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Arlo is the Apple of smart cameras, and its Ultra 2 is impressive
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictThe Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use appReasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storage
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 VerdictThe Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use appReasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storage
T3 VerdictThe Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.
T3 Verdict
The Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems you can buy, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s beautifully made, comes with everything you need and integrates very well with key smart home platforms, but if you’re already an Ultra user you probably don’t need to upgrade.
Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use appReasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storage
Reasons to buy+Stylish design+4K image quality and excellent clarity+Colour night vision+Excellent connectivity+Easy-to-use app
Stylish design
4K image quality and excellent clarity
Colour night vision
Excellent connectivity
Easy-to-use app
Reasons to avoid-Very expensive-No free video storage
Very expensive
No free video storage
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Arlo Ultra 2 deals
$599.99View$599.99View$899.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99
$899.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Arlo makes some of the best wireless cameras around, and it currently occupies three positions in ourbest security camerasguide – including the top two. The Arlo Ultra 2 is its most precise camera yet, with 4K HDR, 12x digital zoom and dual-band Wi-Fi. Like its predecessor its cameras connect to Arlo’s Smarthub (included), which in turn connects to your router and enables you to control it with the Arlo app or your preferred smart home assistant:Google,Alexaor HomeKit.
Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger: price and availability
The Arlo Ultra 2 is available in black or white designs, and it’s available now from Arlo.com and online retailers. The 2 camera kit, which includes the Arlo Smarthub as well as the cameras, is £629.99 / $599.99 / AU$1,049. The 3-camera kit is £799.99 / $899.98 / AU$1,449 and the 4-camera kit is £979.99 / $1,109.96. You can also buy cameras separately for £319.99 / $299.99 / AU$449 apiece.
The Solar Panel Charger for Ultra Cameras is $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.
Each of the camera kits includes a free three-month trial of Arlo Secure. Subscriptions start at $2.99 / £2.79 / AU$4.49 for a single camera, rising to $9.99 / £12.99 / AU$14.99 for unlimited cameras. In the US and Australia there’s an additional tier, Secure Plus, which offers extra features and costs $14.99 / AU$21.99 monthly for unlimited cameras. US customers can sign up for the Safe and Secure Pro bundle ($19.99) which combines Secure Plus with the Arlo Safe app for personal safety.
Today’s best Arlo Ultra 2 deals$599.99View$599.99View$899.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Arlo Ultra 2 deals$599.99View$599.99View$899.99ViewWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Arlo Ultra 2 deals
$599.99View$599.99View$899.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99
$899.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Design-wise, the Ultra 2 stick with Arlo’s family design. They’re impressively compact considering the tech inside(Image credit: Future)
Design-wise, the Ultra 2 stick with Arlo’s family design. They’re impressively compact considering the tech inside
Design-wise, the Ultra 2 stick with Arlo’s family design. They’re impressively compact considering the tech inside
(Image credit: Future)
Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger: design
The Ultra 2 cameras stick with a winning formula Arlo has been using for some time. They’re solidly built and pretty discreet, especially in black, and there’s an integrated spotlight above the 180-degree wide angle camera lens.
The batteries are removable and swappable for easy charging and there’s also a magnetic fast charge cable. The kit continues useful magnetic mounts that enable you to put the cameras pretty much anywhere.
The cameras look smaller than they actually are: they’re 3.5 x 2 x 3 inches (89 x 52 x 78.4mm).
The solar panel and camera are waterproof and can handle terrible weather, but the panel doesn’t charge below 0ºC(Image credit: Future)
The solar panel and camera are waterproof and can handle terrible weather, but the panel doesn’t charge below 0ºC
The solar panel and camera are waterproof and can handle terrible weather, but the panel doesn’t charge below 0ºC
(Image credit: Future)
Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger: installation and setup
Setting up the system doesn’t take long. The Arlo Smarthub connects via the supplied Ethernet cable to your router, and you then use the Arlo app on phone or tablet to connect it and add your cameras. The package includes both UK and EU plug connectors for the Smarthub power supply and magnetic camera chargers. The solar panel also has a magnetic connector for your chosen camera, and its 8-foot length means you don’t need to choose between the best position for your camera and the best position for the solar panel.
In addition to Arlo’s own app you can useApple’s Home app,AmazonAlexa and Google Assistant. That makes the cameras even more useful: for example in Apple’s Home app, you can set your Hue lights to come on when a specific camera detects motion.
Arlo’s integration with key smart home platforms including Apple Home (pictured) is excellent.(Image credit: Future)
Arlo’s integration with key smart home platforms including Apple Home (pictured) is excellent.
Arlo’s integration with key smart home platforms including Apple Home (pictured) is excellent.
(Image credit: Future)
Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger: features
The specification here is very impressive, with better wireless connectivity and range than the original Ultra. The Smarthub supports live streaming from five cameras simultaneously, although there’s no limit to how many cameras you can connect.
The camera sensor is 1/2” with 4K resolution, 12x digital zoom, 180 degree diagonal field of view with automatic image correction to reduce the fish-eye effect, HDR and auto track and zoom. It has twin motion detectors with 150 degree horizontal coverage and high powered infra-red LEDs with an IR cut filter for colour night vision. The twin microphones for two-way audio have built-in noise and wind cancellation, and there’s dual-band Wi-Fi rather than just the standard 2.4GHz band that many wireless security cameras are limited to. The Ultra 2 supports 802.11b/g/n but not 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 6.
Battery life is six months, and recharging takes just 3.5 hours. Alternatively you can use the Solar Panel Charger to deliver constant power, although for safety reasons the solar panel cannot charge the camera battery at temperatures below 0ºC.
The app is easy to use and makes it simple to set up features such as geofencing, where you can automatically arm and disarm security features based on your phone or tablet’s location.
Some of the key features here require an Arlo Smart subscription: 4K resolution cloud recording; person, vehicle, animal and package detection; notification filtering; custom activity zones; rich phone notifications with preview images and live streaming; and in the US, contacting emergency response services.
The Arlo Ultra 2’s LED spotlight is impressively bright, enabling crisp and clear colour night vision with good range(Image credit: Future)
The Arlo Ultra 2’s LED spotlight is impressively bright, enabling crisp and clear colour night vision with good range
The Arlo Ultra 2’s LED spotlight is impressively bright, enabling crisp and clear colour night vision with good range
(Image credit: Future)
Arlo Ultra 2 Spotlight Camera with Solar Panel Charger: verdict
The Arlo Ultra 2 system is one of the best smart home security systems we’ve tested. It’s not the cheapest, and there’s a subscription on top if you want to make the most of it, but the smart home integration is superb, the build quality is first class and both the picture quality and the object recognition are excellent.
Arlo Ultra 2: Price Comparison
$599.99View$599.99View$899.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99View
$599.99
$599.99
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99View
$899.99
$899.99
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Netflix is making a huge surprise change for hit spy show’s new seasonThe Recruit is taking a global trip this time out
The Recruit is taking a global trip this time out
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
